Nakuru Dual Highway Extended to Eldoret & Malaba After Missing Out on SGR Expansion 

Hello and welcome to the Money News Roundup Newsletter, where we are covering plans to build a dual carriageway from Mau Summit to Eldoret and Malaba. We also cover plans by Nairobi County to limit developments in Westlands.

Govt to Dual Mau Summit-Eldoret-Malaba Highway

The government has begun preparations for constructing a dual highway from Mau Summit through Eldoret to the Uganda border

As reported by the Daily Nation, a consortium of Canadian and Kenyan firms has begun pre-feasibility studies to expand the 243km Mau Summit–Eldoret–Malaba highway from two to four lanes under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, funded by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

The project will complement the Ksh170 billion Rironi–Mau Summit dual highway and a planned 190km Kisian–Malaba expressway passing through Kisian, Maseno, Luanda, Yala, Ugunja, Sega, Bumala, and Busia. 

Uganda is expected to construct a 60km PPP expressway from Jinja to Busesa to link with Kenya’s network. The African Development Bank supports the project, implemented by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA).

The Mau Summit–Eldoret–Malaba section, part of the Northern Corridor, currently faces heavy traffic and high accident rates. The study will cover technical, economic, environmental, and social assessments, financial modelling, and transaction design to prepare the project for private sector participation.

The upgrade will expand the road to dual carriageway standards, incorporate intelligent transport systems, enhance road safety, and integrate climate-resilient designs for long-term durability. 

Eldoret and Nakuru missed out on the planned extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) line to Kisumu after the government settled on the southern route owing to costs.

The extended SGR line from Naivasha will traverse Narok, Kericho, Bomet, Nyamira and Kisumu County.

NSSF to Make Ksh18% Returns Annually From Rironi–Mau Summit Road Investment

The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) projects an average annual return of 18% over the next 28 years from its investment in the Rironi–Mau Summit Road.

According to the Star, the tolled road is structured to allow investors to recover costs and earn profits through user fees over 28–30 years, with total toll revenues projected to run into the hundreds of billions.

Speaking at a media roundtable in Nairobi, NSSF said it expects returns of 13–15% in dollar terms, translating to about 18% in shillings, from its 25% equity stake in the first phase, estimated to cost $743 million (Ksh95.8 billion).

The highway expansion will be financed on a 75% debt and 25% equity basis. NSSF will contribute about Ksh12 billion, representing 45% of the equity portion, alongside CRBC. Debt financing will come from Chinese commercial and state-backed lenders.

Based on the estimated financing, NSSF is projected to make Ksh2.1 billion in returns each year and close to Ksh60 billion over the 28 years.

Nairobi County to Limit Developments in Westlands as Surge in High-Rise Buildings Strains Infrastructure

Nairobi City County is seeking to replan Westlands to curb new developments as a surge in high-rise buildings strains infrastructure and amenities in an area originally designed for low- to medium-rise residential use.

According to the Business Daily, City Hall has advertised a tender to prepare a new Local Physical and Land Use Development Plan for the Westlands zone, which will guide approvals and regulate future construction. 

The county says rapid growth, marked by high-rise apartments, office towers and mixed-use projects, has overwhelmed water, sewerage, drainage, transport networks and social amenities.

Westlands, which includes Spring Valley, Parklands, Loresho, Kyuna, Muthangari and Rhapta, was initially planned as residential. Officials say many new projects have ignored the original zoning, threatening neighbourhood character and environmental sustainability.

The plan will align with the Nairobi Integrated Urban Development Master Plan (2014–2030) and provide clear local planning guidelines. The move follows growing resident opposition and court cases over uncontrolled developments.

Boma Yangu Registrations Surpass One Million

Registrations on the government’s Boma Yangu platform have surpassed one million, highlighting strong demand for affordable housing and pressure on supply. 

According to Capital Business, data from the Affordable Housing Board shows most applicants prefer urban projects with access to roads, electricity, water, schools, markets, and healthcare. 

Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga said the milestone reflects growing confidence in the Affordable Housing Programme. 

“One million Kenyans committing to save towards home ownership is a strong signal of trust,” he said. 

Currently, about 262,913 units are under construction across 47 counties and 111 constituencies, underscoring the need to accelerate housing development to meet rising demand.

NSSF to Build Ksh30 Billion Twin-Tower Building in Nairobi CBD

The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has unveiled a Ksh30 billion plan to develop twin high-rise towers in Nairobi’s CBD, comprising office space, luxury apartments, a hotel, retail outlets and conference facilities. 

The mixed-use project will feature 35- and 60-storey towers, with the taller set to become Nairobi’s tallest building.

NSSF CEO David Koross said the project aims to regenerate the CBD by introducing residential living, reversing years of business migration to hubs such as Westlands and Upper Hill. 

The development will sit on NSSF’s 3.85-acre Kenyatta Avenue land, valued at Ksh4 billion, and will be fully funded by the fund over four years.

The investment reflects a shift back to large-scale real estate as NSSF leverages rising member contributions, while keeping property exposure well below the 30% regulatory cap. Read more

Mansa-X Special Funds Cross Ksh129B for Assets Under Management 

Mansa-X Special Funds have crossed the Ksh129 billion (USD 1 billion) mark in assets under management, driven by strong 2025 performance and rising demand for professionally managed investments amid volatile markets.

As reported by Citizen Digital, the milestone cements Mansa-X as Kenya’s largest special Collective Investment Scheme (CIS), with steady inflows across four fund variants serving both conventional and Shariah-compliant investors. 

Managed under the Standard Investment Trust Funds platform, the funds offer investments in Ksh and US dollars, attracting local and international investors seeking portfolio and currency diversification.

In 2025, the Mansa-X Special Fund posted average net returns of 20.74% for the shilling special fund and and 13.37% for the dollar special fund. The Shariah fund returned 17.25% for the shilling special fund and 11.64% for the dollar special fund.

Standard Investment Bank credits disciplined portfolio management, while executives cite strong investor confidence and a focus on consistent, risk-adjusted returns.

Safaricom Launches Ziidi Trader, Which Allows Users to Buy and Sell NSE Shares

Safaricom has launched Ziidi Trader in the M-PESA app, allowing users to buy and sell NSE-listed shares directly from their mobile wallets with zero paperwork.

 The feature offers real-time portfolio tracking, digital onboarding, and investment risk disclosures, making stock market participation more accessible, especially for first-time investors.

Ziidi Trader builds on the success of the Ziidi Money Market Fund (MMF), launched in December 2024. 

By June 30, 2025, the fund reported Ksh354.36 million investment income, Ksh273.08 million surplus, a 77% net profit margin, and Ksh10.68 billion AUM—a 275% increase—serving over 1.15 million investors. 

The fund ranks 14th largest in Kenya by Assets Under Management (AUM ). Read more